World Cup fever is mounting (how's your foot doing, Mr Rooney?).

It's even reached the born-again-biker world of motorcycling.

For days people have been flocking to the window of the Infinity motor-cycle emporium next to The Press's Walmgate command post for the unveiling of a hidden machine.

The mystery bike is veiled by a weatherproof drape in England colours.

What could it be a new superbike in "England" livery?

So The Diary made inquiries on your behalf. What's under there that's so special, we asked.

"Nothing special," said a spokesman. "It's just the bike's cover that we are advertising."

DID you see them the first time around? If you didn't, it's looking unlikely you'll ever get a chance to relive York's fireworks farce.

Many readers bombarded The Press to reveal how they had been blind to last November's 400th anniversary celebration of the Gunpowder Plot.

So when we reported that highlights of the fireworks had been handed, on limited DVDs, to councillors, those conscientious chaps at the council's opposition Labour Group believed it was only right that everyone had a chance to catch up on what they may have missed the first time round.

They gathered up their copies and pledged to donate them to the city's Central Library. Only The Diary can now reveal that the Library might not want them.

"I don't think they have enough space on their shelves," a spokesman for the group quipped.

The Diary is assured that something IS in the pipeline for the dozen or so DVDs, we'll let you know when all is revealed.

Top marks to the call centre sales worker who rang The Press offices and, on hearing the journalist say "newsroom", then asked to be put through to the homeowner.

Heard in a doctor's reception area: A woman asked for an appointment with the practice nurse for some advice on dieting. "Who's it for?" asked the receptionist. "My husband," she replied. We wonder what she will do if the nurse advises her spouse to have less of her obviously-delicious cooking.